High6

Added value is great for the manufacturer if they can find the customers who can afford it. Truth is, the cost of traditional workmanship is too great for today's average client and I find it surprising that no-one has come up with an innovative design using space-age materials to produce a really practical and attractive solution at a more affordable price. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

That ain't no plastic, dude - it just goes to show how modern boats have failed to adequately reproduce the glory and character of the real wooden boat. If we can't manage to build them today we must be able to come up with something better than obviously fake wood. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

It's a popular idea to continue the traditional theme of wooden boat interior design, but when you've looked at several dozen prospective boats with faced ply and formica-laminated cupboards and furniture it does start to get very "samey", even boring. "Seen one, seen 'em all". Has no-one designed something modern, with pastel or bright coloured surfaces perhaps', or maybe a "distressed" paintwork effect? What would you suggest? Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

This could well be true but the article is in fact pure speculation. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

As I recall from my early hiring days we were advised to watch out for signals from yachts we were about to pass. I can appreciate the skipper would have both hands full (gin & wench) but it never happened. A saily can't be expected to keep to the starboard bank but holding the middle ground when the wind is ahead a signal to pass one side or another would be so much appreciated. Still, the adrenaline from passing through a fleet is always a buzz, so why spoil it? Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Thanks for that link, Stuart. Are local (Broads) forces equipped/trained to routinely scan for the markers?

So hard to choose a new name. The boat we are hoping to get next week has a girl's name, but no-one we know so we have to change it. Thinking of "Init", as in: "Why?" " 'Cause it's in it, innit?" What d'you reckon?

Ah, how we danced and skipped! Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

In which case you will surely be interested to follow this ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263419192564?ul_noapp=true

Well, he does look remarkably like a Portuguese Water Dog - no problem there I am sure. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

For 2018 we wish everyone fair winds, peaceful moorings and a glass always full. Wonder what life will be like this time next year. Jenny and Dudley

Ena Sharples would've had a word to say, I feel. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Sounds like colonic irrigation!

Hidden submarine net - how cool is that? I must confess I never felt overly concerned while we were hiring (careful, though) but spending a sizeable chunk of life-savings on our first boat takes everything to a new level. Short of sheathing in ferro-cement and downing several G&Ts before retiring I foresee a restless night or two before we can relax.

Now there's a plan, so long as you're on rings and not posts in a flood. No defence necessary, I thoroughly enjoyed the hilarious comments (anything to get away from the bickering topics for a while). I guess if I were really thinking ahead as Peter suggests, and well informed, I would not connect the shore power (I did have Reedham vaguely in the back of my mind). Even if you kick out the master switch as Marshman recommends the mains power is still coming on board so I would be tempted in an emergency to throw my end onto the shore, wearing rubber boots and Marigolds of course, and let it trip out if necessary. Who knows what a nervous newbie might do - the more firma the less terra.

With my first boat coming in a few week' time I should have known it was daft to ask you all a serious newbie question so close on Christmas. Bound to degenerate into ribald humour and tales of drunken debauchery. I will try again when the spirit has subsided.

Nearest choice when they stopped serving "Mild"

Seemed to kill off Mackeson, though.

Think I'll tie extending lead to lifebelt. Maybe catch a pike. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Dammit! Now the dog needs to go out.

Not worried - he'll get swept away any minute. Tide's still rising.

I'm not sure, but there's some chap here in a snorkel and flippers asking for £10.

You wake up in the early hours to the noise of wind, rain and water slapping. You stick your head outside and see by torchlight that your mooring lines and shore power cable are well under water. You can't see the quay heading. So what do you do next?

Yet another fascinating thread has turned into petty squabbling over next to nothing, evidencing total lack of tolerance and respect for others' views in a time of supposedly good will to all men. Goodbye all. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and fun boating adventures in 2018. Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk